Original 7 Up kid leaves ITV viewers in floods of tears after struggles

Original 7 Up kid leaves ITV viewers in floods of tears after struggles One of the original kids from 7 Up left viewers in floods of tears as he opened up about his struggles. One of the original 7 Up kids has left viewers in floods of tears as he opened up about his life. Neil Hughes, from Liverpool, first captured the nation's attention as a schoolboy in 1964 when he joined 13 other young children in the social experiment. Over the years, cameras returned to see Neil at different stages in his life. He'd once dreamt of becoming an astronaut, before struggling with his mental health in later life. At one point, Neil was homeless, before he became a Liberal Democrat councillor and then a lay preacher. In 70 Up, ITV caught up with Neil for one final time, as the series came to an end. It followed several of the contestants for one final interview, including Nick, who died just days after he was filmed. A synopsis for the programme when it was announced had read: “Sue will talk about marrying Glenn and decades working at Queen Mary University of London, while Peter has more music news. KC John who wanted a powerful career and lawyer Andrew, the prep school boy who famously read the FT, return. Alongside them is Suzy, the young ballerina who hated her private school. "The series will remember fondly the late Lynn, part of the trio of friends. Meanwhile, we hear from Charles who left the programme at 21. And the series will also include a poignant and moving interview with the late Nick, the farmer’s son who fulfilled his dream to become a nuclear physicist." Viewers were left heartbroken over the final episode, particularly after hearing about Neil's journey. He spoke about his loneliness throughout life and separating from his wife after four years of marriage. He said: "I'm not very good with others, and even the friends who have remained, they've remained friends because I don't see them everyday of the week. They're people I can turn to, but I'm not the sort of person who goes around in groups with others," reports the Liverpool Echo. He continued: "I've tried to avoid being caught up in situations where I know I'll be at a disadvantage without trying to avoid the whole of life. I've come across people who have had similar problems and become total reclusives, and in the end it doesn't help them. "If someone has a mental health problem, it doesn't mean they're odd. It doesn't mean they've chosen to be weird or anti-social, it's just part, as much as a person's sexuality, it's not something they choose, it's what they are. Can we get to be in a society that recognises this?" “Neil makes me cry, every time,” one follower wrote. Another said: “Oh gosh I've just watched the second part of #70Up and I'm bawling my eyes out. Thank you @Taxietony7up, Jackie, Sue, John, Andrew, Neil, Peter, Charles, Bruce, Suzy, Symon, Paul, Lynn (R.I.P.), Nick (R.I.P.) for sharing your lives with us. It's been an absolute joy.” Someone else wrote: “Ah even a glimpse of Neil on #70UP bring the tears, watched religiously with mum and dad growing up, comparing, dreaming, crying, feel so blessed watching but also wish these were longer eps, I could watch for hours more.... this programme was a huge part of how I learned about life and my country.” Yet another said: “Watching #70Up. Neil breaks my heart every 7 years. He was such a happy little boy.” Another wrote: “If you’re not tearing up seeing Neil, you haven’t got a pulse.” Someone else said: “Neil is such an intelligent man who has just lost his way. Very sad.” Another echoed: “Oh Neil. You broke our hearts.” 70 Up is available to watch on ITVX